throughout the Treasure Valley this time of year, the fading days of summer meet the early days of autumn at the intersection of Ann Morrison Park and the Spirit of boise balloon classic that takes place in the boise city center area.
The 34-year old Classic is a crowd pleaser throughout the region and known nationwide. It begins on the last Tuesday of August leading into the Labor Day weekend greeting commuters everyday with a ribbon of colored balloons hovering over the city skies as residents make their way to work, school and daily errands.
One of those pilots joining the cast of 34 balloons this year is Lewin Williams from Reno Nevada. he’s been coming to boise for the event 15 years now. Williams, 73, said he got roped into ballooning after his first free ride 35 years ago and he’s been floating the balloon circuit from Boise, reno and the Balloon Fiesta in Albuquerque, New Mexico ever since.
most people enjoy seeing the balloons seemingly drift through the sky effortlessly all week during the classic. few see the frantic pace beforehand as ground crews and pilots get the balloons ready to launch every day. ground crews and pilots begin their day in the early morning hours, well before 5:00 a.m. preparing the balloons to fly, attending their daily briefings, and managing all the details needed to make sure everything happens in a safe way. While bystanders are watching balloons inflate, taking photographs and selfies at a feverish pace, ground crews are dashing around the balloons moving equipment, attaching ropes, checking radio communications with pilots and keeping things safe and fun for everyone. Lewin is quick to acknowledge that his ground crews are the most important element in the equation. “ they keep me successful as a pilot, “ said williams.
In Boise, Williams ground crew is composed of four men; crew chief ric bobier, bruce drewes, bob Julian and Joe sumpter. williams, bobier, drewes and Julian are all masons and members of the shriners organization. Joe sumpter, who has worked with williams for 4 years now said he just showed up one day and the crew took him in. his goal is to become a pilot himself.
the first day of the classic was cancelled due to rain. the next three days were clear, sunny with light winds for good balloon flying. but on Sunday, the last day of the event, the prevailing winds above Ann Morrison Park were moving faster than regulations allow and the launch of balloons into sky above boise was also cancelled. to compensate, the balloon pilots and ground crews stood the balloons in the park and welcomed the public to ask questions, take photographs and close out the event.
left to right - ground crew, balloon pilot and friends;
ground crew members Joe sumpter, bob Julian, crew chief ric bobier, balloon pilot lewin williams,
ground crew member bruce drewes, and friends Johnny futrell, carrie Martin.
In the early morning hours, ground crew member Bruce Drewes stretches out the balloon canopy
After sunrise, about an hour before flight, Lewin Williams checks his radio connections with crew chief.
Before inflating the balloon, Lewin Williams gives a young girl a balloon pin.
The crew gets ready to begin inflating the balloon.
Ground crew member Bob Julian holds the canopy open for inflation.
Ground crew member Bruce Drewes pulls back the canopy to increase inflation.
After using the fan to fill the canopy with air, the ground crew holds open the balloon while pilot Lewin Williams fires up the burner to stand up the balloon.
Ground Crew Chief Ric Bobier checks inflation levels around the balloon before stating it up.
The ground crew team and balloon pilot are getting ready to stand the balloon up as other balloons on the park field are doing the same.
As balloons start lifting off around the park, Lewin Williams is making his final checks before getting airborne.
Ground Crew member Joe Sumpter holds the crown of the balloon steady.
With the Spilt Tail Balloon still sitting on the ground, balloons begin flying off the field.
On the first day of flights, with Lewin Williams at the controls, ground crew member Bruce Drewes joins Lewin in the basket and they lift off.
The Spirit of Boise Balloon Classic 2025.
The balloon know as Peanuts with pilot Erik Eaton at the controls.
After the balloons lift off, the ground crew tracks the Split Tail balloon as it drifts away from Ann Morrison Park. Everyday is a different landing site depending on where the winds take the balloon.
Even balloon pilots want a photo.
Lewin passes on some last instructions to ground crew member Joe Sumpter before lifting off. In the basket with Lewin is his friend from Las Vegas Carrie Martin.
Johnny Futrell takes a selfie with friends Carrie Martin and Lewin Williams just before takeoff.
just a few feet in the air, Carrie and Lewin wave goodbye for now.
Ground Crew Chief Ric Bobier makes radio contact with lewin Williams as he drifts away from Ann Morrison Park.
Early Sunday morning, the last day of balloon flights, the crowd gathers around the stretched out balloon before sunrise.
On the last day's pilot briefing, Lewin listens to the news that the winds aloft are moving too fast for safe flying.
with the cancellation of Sunday's liftoff and flights, the massive crowd that gathered early in the morning now drifts away.
Every day the work is constant as the ground crew maintains the equipment.
After the balloon lifts off everyday, the crew needs to roll up the tarp the balloon sits on before it flys.
On Sunday, the last day, after flights were cancelled due to high winds aloft, crowds begin to meander around the balloons for one last look before leaving.